Apparatus for retreading tires



March 6, 1945. H. T. KRAFT APPARATUS FOR RETREADING TIRES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 15, 1942 NVENTOR Herman T. Kraft BY MA 1'- ATTORNEYS` H. T. KRAFT APPARATUS FOR RETREADING TIRES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1942 INVENTOR Herman T. Kraft BY -f- 72a ATTORNEYS March 6, 1945.

@amai-ax Patented Mar. 6, 1945 .-"APPABATUS FOR-RETBEADING TIRES 'alleman f1. Kraft, Akron, Ohio, assigner to The `General Tire t Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, ,a corporation of Ohio Application July 15, 1942, Serial No. 450,978

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for retreading tire casings such as those used on motor vehicles and the like.

In the retreading of vehicle tires it is desirable that the tread portion only of the tire be subjected to vulcanizing heat and that the side walls of the tire -be free from contact with the mold. It is also desirable that a relatively flat ,vulcanizing mold be provided so that a single mold may be utilized for tires of different widths and diameters. When the retreading mold Adoes not extend over the side walls of the tire, however, diiilculty has been experienced in attaining out requiring pressure side plates over the side4 walls of the tire.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for retreading tires wherein the added tread may be readily centered upon the-tire casing.

O'ther objects will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of apparatus embodying the present invention with a. tire in vulcanizing position with an air bag positioned therein, portions of high pressure at the side edges or shoulder portions of the tread being supplied to the tire. In order to obtain high pressure at the side edge portions of the tread, it has heretofore been proposed to mount the tire on a rim of appropriate size and to squeeze the side Walls together with exterior annular plates, so that the shoulder portion of the tire is increased in diameter sumciently to form .a seal with the side edges of the It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of retreading tires wherein a relatively fiat vulcanizing mold may be used and wherein the high pressure at the side edge portions may be eiected without mounting the tire on a rim and without the use of side plates adapted to squeeze the tire casing into a. flat section.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for retreading tires which permits maintainment (and without pressure on the side walls of the casing beyond the shoulders of a seal at the side edges of newly applied tread) without the use of side plates adapted to squeeze the side walls of the tire together in opposition to inflation pressure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of retreading tires wherein thetire casing remains centered with respect to the mold during and after the period of flow in the tread or camel back as'it conforms to mold shape.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus which is adapted to hold the tire casing centered with respect to the mold during and after the period of adjustment of the tire due to flow of rubber in forming the tread design.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide apparatus capable of effecting a said tire casing and air bag beingbroken away;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view of a portion of the apparatus as seen from the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a wall of an air bag that may be utilized in the practice of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a section through a portion of the apparatus taken on the line. 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the inner supporting member taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1 and showing the means of locking the component parts thereof;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the outer mold member taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a slightly modifled form of apparatus with a tire and air bag therein;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view on the line 99v of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the mold taken on the line lll-I0 of Fig. 9 of apparatus with a tire and an air bag therein.

In accordance with the present invention, tread material is applied to the crown portion of the tire casing and the tire is incorporated within a mold having less diameter than the normal diameter of the treaded tire casing. A rigid, relatively wide backing or supporting membenhaving an air bag supporting portion with a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the beads of the tire casing, is incorporated or assembled within the tire casing, with the supporting sur- `falce preferably about midway of the side walls.

Fluid pressure is then applied within a sealed space, or within a suitable container situated between the outer supporting surface of the backing member and the crown portion of the tire, to cause the tread portion of the tire casing to be forced strongly against the inner walls of the nold, without the necessity of applying pressure externally of the side walls of the tire, tending to force them toward each other and thus cause radial extension of the shoulder portions of the tire. The pressure container is maintained in a longitudinally flattened condition so that ination pressure tends to increase its diameter but hassubstantlally no tendency to cause increased :separation of the sidewalls.V

The mold used inthe practice of the present invention preferably is of the generally cylindrical type with internally projecting, tread designforming members. The tire may be incorporated in the mold in any suitable manner. 'Ihe side walls of the casing may be spread laterally at circumferentially spaced points, or the central aa'rqLova portion of the side walls may -be moved apart ameter of the tire casing being retreaded, an

inner collapsible supporting or backing member having a supporting portion 4 with a relatively wide supporting surface, and an air bag 5 having a plurality of relatively inextensible elements 6 embedded within the side walls thereof. e

The mold 2 may comprise an outer, substantially cylindrical backing portion 1 which may be of flexible sheet metal, and an inner generl ally cylindrical portion 8. The inner portion 8 is welded to the backing portion 1 at suitable points and is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed protuberances such as the annular ribs 9 which are adapted to form the tread design. An inwardly directed, tread-defining ange I0 is disposed at each side of the mold 2 and is adapted to assist in forming a seal between the tire tread or sides and vthe side edg'es` of the mold. The outer backing portion 1, which is shown as of cylindrical shape, and the inner, generally cylindrical portion 8 of the mold, are preferably formed in annular shape from sheet steel.` The flanges I0 preferably'may be integral with the inner portion 8 and the inner and outer members are strongly welded together along their entire side edges by weld material II.

Means is provided for heating the mold matrix 2, or at least the inner member 8 thereof, to cause vulcanization ofthe tire tread in contact therewith. One or more substantially annular cavities I3 may be formed between the members 1 and 8 for circulation of heating fluid, such as steam or hot water. The spaced tread-design protuberances 9 may rbe hollow, annular ribs of,

' U-shaped cross section to provide spaced cavities I3 over the width of the mold. To prevent spreading of the members 1 and 8 when fluid means such as weld portions I5 are provided for maintaining the central portions of the members 1 and 8 in substantial contact and for fastening them together at spaced intermediate porholes ls may be drilled through the welded portions I5 and through the inner member 8.

Means such as a plurality of inwardly projecting pins- I8 carried by theinner mold portion 8,

preferably at the-protuberances `9, vare provided for maintaining alignment of the tire casing I9 during and after the molding of the tread material 20. The aligning pins I8 may be suitably attached to the vprotuberances orribs 9 by drilling holes therethrough and fastening the pins or nails I8 withinthe holes. The length of the pins I8 is preferably such that they extend into the tire casing substantially to carcass depth. -An upper header 22 having a cavity which connects with the spaced cavities I3 and having a conduit 23 connected therewith and to a 'sultable heating uid supply, `such as a boiler (not shown), is providedto `permit entrance of heating fluid into the cavitiesy I3 for vulcanization of the treadmaterial A21h-iA similar header portion '25 having a cavity connected with the lower portion of the annular cavities- I3 and having a conduit 26 connected'therewith is provided for egress of condensed steam oregress of heating fluid, as

desired. e

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, the aligning' means comprises U-shaped 'spring clamps 29, which are located at circumferentially spaced points over the mold. The clamps 29 have arms 30 at each end thereof which are adapted to vcontact the sidewall of the tire and position it with respect to the mold. The central portion 3| of the clamps 29 is journaled within the mold fastening portion 32, which is rigidly attached to the outer mold member 1. Means such as thrust washers 34 carried integrally with the clamps 29 are provided for cooperating with the member 32 to retain; the clamp centered with respect to the mold, so that the tire casing I9 is held in alignment. y

The air bag 5 is preferably molded in an annular shape with `an oblong cross section having greater width than height, substantially as shown in the drawings, and has a cross sectional area corresponding substantially with the upper or crown portion of the interior of the tire casing I9. The bag 5 may -be constructed of one or more plies, preferably at least two plies, of rubberized cord fabric, the rubber thereof preferably being .of an age-resistant synthetic variety. The relatively inextensible stretch-resisting members Gr-lflay vbe bias cord fabric; however, they preferably extend in a substantially radial direction `P"so that they will permit relatively free expansion of the diameter of the air bag without permitting appreciable expansion of the cross sectional length of the side Wall thereof. Means lsuch as a stem 36 having a passageway for supplying an ination fluid between the conduit 31 00 and the'annular oblong cavity within the air bar 5 is provided'. The conduit 31 is connected to a source r(notshown) for inflation fluid.

The collapsible backing member preferably has a rigid annular, relatively wide and preferably pressure is applied te cavities I3. reinforcing hat backlngportion 4 of substantially larger diameter than the diameter of the beads of the tire I9. The outer peripheral surface ofthe back ing is at least one-half the internal tire width and is preferably substantially the same width.

tions. 'The weld portions I5 are preferably dis- 'l0 The backing -member preferably may have a tributed in spaced relation over the mold between the protuberances 9 and may be formed by drilling suitable holes and filling the same with weld teriaL To provide conventional vents and us prevent entrapment of air in the mold, small 75 at higher pressure than plurality of rigid sections capable of being assembled together to form a rigid annulus, or it may, of course, be a pneumatic tube of stretchresistant walls which when in use is maintained is the air bag 5, to proshoulder portions of the vide greater rigidity. As shown in the drawings, each section consists of a stiffening portion 3, and a relatively hat, annular backing portion 4. The intermediate sections 4a may be hinged or pivotally connected to end sections 4b.

A key section 4c having a suitable opening 42 to receive the valve stem 36 is provided for supplementing the hinged sectionsv and cooperating.

with them in forming the backing member in rigid annular form. Means such as bolts 43 and 44 .at the line of junction of the respective end portions 4b with the key section 4c are provided for locking the key section in place, thus preventing collapse of the backing member when inflation fluid is applied within the air bag 5,

In operation the apparatus of the-present invention is preferably suspended vertically as shown in Fig. 1. This maybe conveniently accomplished by providing suitable supports having arms 45 with a groove 46 to receive the stiffening portion 3 of 'the backing member. are anchored to a rigid structure, not shown.

In retreading tires with the apparatus of the present invention, tread material 20 is applied to the outer portion of the casing I9 in suitable form-preferably in the form of camel-back of conventional width. The tire casing is then incorporated within the mold 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This may be readily accomplished after the outer diameter of the tire is sufficientlyreduced by either spreading the beads or by spreading the midportions of the side walls of the tire. The air bag is then inserted and the backing The arms 4,5`

increase in diameter of the total air bag. In the claims, therefore, the terms stretching in a cross sectional direction or stretching in cross section are intended to mean enlarging of the axial cross section of the air bag. Cross section as used herein is intended to designate a, section produced by an axial plane of limited extent and passing through only one-half of the torus, as on the line between points 2 2 of Fig. l, rather than the section cut by an axial plane of unlimited extent and passing entirely through the torus.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular form of apparatus s hown and demember assembled in annular form within the casing and between the beads thereof. The air bag is thus retained in a ilat elongated shape in the upper or crown portion of the tire between the crown of the tire and the annular portion 4 of the backing member.

Since -the side walls of the air bag are relatively inextensible radially, the ination pressure within the annular cavity of the bag 5 causes the bag to tend to assume a more rounded shape, rather than to extend the side walls of the tire outwardly. The entire tread portion of' the tire is thus pressed toward the internal surface of the mold without tending to further separate the side walls. 'It is thus seen that no side members are required to press the side edges of the mold inwardly toward each other so as to raise the tire against the edges of the forming mold.

Since only cross sectional extensibility of the preferred air bags is limited by radial cords 6, it is seen that the same air bag is suitable for a large number of sizes of tire casings. The backing and mold members may also be used for the retreading of casings of various sizes, if desired. Since side plates and also rims to fit closely onto the beads of the tire are avoided in accordance with the present invention, a substantial savings in labor cost is had.

As set forth above, the air bag 5 contains inextensible, stretch-resisting elements 6 which extend in a. radial direction to prevent appreciable scribed, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration andthat various modications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A tire retreading mold matrix comprising an outer substantially continuous cylindrical sheet metal member, an inner continuous tread-forming member welded at spaced points intermediate its side edges to said outer member and having inwardly projecting tread-forming portions of hollow, generally U-shaped cross section, integral, inturned annular flanges at the side edges thereof, means for supplying heating fluid interlorly of said hollow tread-forming portions, venting holes through said welded portions, a header con.. necting the space between said inner and said outer members of said mold to permit heating uid to enter said space, and a discharge header also connecting the space between said inner and said outer members to permit discharge of :duid therefrom and means for supplying uid to said space. f

2. A tire retreading mold matrix comprising an outer, substantially continuous, cylindrical sheet metal member, an inner, continuous tread-forming member welded to said outer member yat spaced points between the side edges thereof and having inwardly projecting tread-forming portions of hollow, generally U-shaped cross section and integral inturned annular anges at the side edges thereof, venting holes through at members to permit discharge of fluid therefrom` least some of said welded portions, a header connecting space between said inner and said outer members of said mold to permitheating fluid to enter said space, a discharge header connecting the space between said inner and said outer 3. A tire retreading mold matrix comprising an outer, substantially continuous, cylindrical sheet metal member, an inner, continuous tread-forming member having inwardly projecting tread groove-forming portions of hollow, generally U- shaped cross section and welded to the outer member at spaced points between said tread groove-forming portions, and internal, inturned annular anges at the side edges thereof, venting holes through at least some of said welded portions, and means for supplying heating iluld to the space between said inner and outer members of said mold matrix.

'I'. KRAFT. 

